It has taken me a while to get my personal checklist of what I need when traveling just right. After eight years of traveling for either work, to volunteer, or for adventure, I feel that I finally understand my travel-self well enough to know exactly what I need with me to make sure my trip is as good as it can be for me.

I recommend you making your own list for reference. Your list will, of course, look different from mine – you have your own individual needs and deciding what you absolutely must carry with you really depends on what kinds of experience you are anticipating having and what makes you the most comfortable when you are away from home in unfamiliar, and sometimes unaccommodating, environments. Here is what I have come up with and the reasons why I can’t leave home without these items:

My name is Shelley. I am currently living in Los Angeles, California. I work for various non-profit organizations so I can help people around the world which also allows me to visit some very incredible places.

I also love to travel for adventure and fun, both with friends and family and sometimes solo. I have been to forty-two countries as of 2018. Thank you for reading my stories. All of the writing, photography, and video is by me.